WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 15, 2025
Get prepped for the XPoNential Music Festival with this week’s Local Picks.
Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos presents a hand-picked new song by an artist rooted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. With the XPoNential Music Festival on the way this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we’re giving you a preview of the lineup in this week’s Local Picks. Here’s who Mike has on deck! Tune in to hear these songs on the radio every day at 1 p.m., get your tickets now at XPNFest.org, and for more Philly music, don’t miss the WXPN Local Show with John Vettese every Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
Monday 9/15: SNACKTIME – “enough”
Funkified Philly brass band SNACKTIME return to the XPoNential Music Festival stage this weekend, and showcasing the latest phase of their evolution. Delaware vocal powerhouse Nico Bryant stepped into the lead singer role this year, and he absolutely shines on their newest single “ENOUGH.” [click for more on the band]
Tuesday 9/16: Emily Drinker – “To Feel Alive”
Poppy folk-soul singer-songwriter Emily Drinker released a beautiful and contemplative new album this spring; we’ll listen to the title track from it, “To Feel Alive,” ahead of her Sunday Marina Stage set at the Festival. [click for more on the artist]
Wednesday 9/17: Maxwell Stern – “Stay Close To Me”
Indie rock favorite Maxwell Stern is teaming up with The Good Light Band, his crew of musicians who helped make his 2024 sophomore album In The Good Light. They’ll kick off the festival on Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Marina Stage, and to celebrate, Maxwell is releasing a brand new single on Friday, “Stay Close To Me,” a “love song for novices” wutrh a chorus he wrote in a dream. We’ll give you an early listen to it Wednesday on the Local Picks.
Thursday 9/18: Owen Stewart – “Time Served”
Rip roaring singer-songwriter Owen Stewart was an instant hit around the WXPN expanded universe upon the release of his classic-rock-fueled debut LP, Done and Dusted. We’ll hear his song “Time Served” to get you pumped for his Saturday River Stage set. [click for more on the artist]
Friday 9/19: Fawziyya Heart – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”
Poetic neo-soul queen Fawziyya Heart has a serene voice, a funky edge, and a drive to create community among her fellow artists. She’ll kick off the Festival on Funky Friday from the Marina Stage, and we’ll get you set to meet her with this song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.” [click for more on the artist]